The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 10, 1985
Filed:
Jun. 20, 1983
John C Bergh, Elkhart, IN (US);
Wheelabrator-Frye Inc., Mishawaka, IN (US);
Abstract
A conveyor apparatus for transporting elongated, flat electronic component assemblies or the like through a surface treatment chamber in a predetermined orientation. A continuous belt is provided with two parallel spaced rows of retention pins which are automatically separated in the loading zone to facilitate positioning of the assemblies on the conveyor. A wedge-shaped shoe member forces the respective pins transversely outwardly and is provided with an aperture permitting the insertion of the assemblies therethrough. Secure retention of the assemblies in the treatment chamber is assured by an inverted U-shaped channel which urges the retention pins into engagement with the component assemblies. The pins may be bent outwardly to enhance the compressive forces exerted by the pin pairs comprising the respective rows. A center-ribbed exit belt pulley deforms the belt along its longitudinal center axis thereby spreading the pin rows to aid removal of the assemblies following surface treatment. A U-shaped pin member defines a pair of retention pins. Each pin member is positioned in a given pin row thereby maintaining maximum belt flexibility enabling belt deformation over the ribbed exit pulley.